Don't you just love sending a special cross stitch gift to a friend? A card you've stitched is a great way to mark special occasions and holidays. Your friends are probably thrilled when they receive your cards and admire them for quite some time. Sadly, though, eventually the cards end up tucked away inside cabinets and drawers. Instead of a card, you may want to create a personalised bookmark the next time a special person in your life celebrates an occasion.

Why not create a cross stitch bookmark instead for one your friends? The advantages are that they will be used as often as the recipient reads a book, and will be associated with good leisure time. Also, your message of friendship will be reaffirmed every time your friend or relative opens the book. It will be useful as well as being ornamental.

Like any other stitching project, you'll want to consider a few suggestions before you begin creating your gifts.

Firstly, your chosen design should have a great appeal for the recipient. What is the favorite color of this person? A favorite flower? A hobby? You can make the bookmark with these things in mind. Do remember that this will be a quick project, however. A cross stitch bookmark is small, and therefore, you will not be able to incorporate every aspect of the person's likes and dislikes into this design. If your friend has lots of interests, you may consider what he or she most enjoys reading about.

Children may be encouraged to read by being given their very own bookmark, with a favourite cute character stitched onto it to make it personal for them.

A bookmark kit may be the best way for you to get started. A kit contains everything you'll need. Inside the kit you'll find instructions, thread in the amount and colors you'll need, and cross stitch material. Keep the instructions so you can use them the next time you create a cross stitch bookmark. When choosing a kit, look for a pattern that matches the interests of the person your gift is for.

As you know, a bookmark is a long rectangle. It's made to rest between the pages of the book and easily be seen. When making bookmarks for friends, you may want to consider whether they normally read hardcovers or paperbacks. Paperbacks aren't as tall as hardcovers, and therefore don't need a long bookmark. The bookmarks also don't need to be very wide, perhaps between two and three inches (5 to 7.5cm) . Most bookmark patterns are traditionally somewhere around six inches long, although some bookmarks are up to nine inches (15 to 22cm) long.

When you start making bookmarks without a kit, you'll want to cut the bookmark out of the cross stitch material, and then bind the edges with ribbon or other decorative fabric. Another pretty way to finish the edges is to create fringe. You fray the edges just enough to create a nice fringe, then use glue or spray to prevent additional fraying. You don't want the fraying to extend beyond the point where you stopped the fringe.

After you've cut out the fabric and secured the edges, you're ready to create the design. Locate a pattern you like. Magazines are a great place to locate patterns, as are books. Better yet, create your own pattern. Simply use a piece of graph paper and draw out your design. As always, each stitch is signified by a square on the paper.

As you work, you'll want to make your stitching as tidy as possible. When you finish, glue a ribbon fragment onto the back so you can neatly cover the underside. Keep your knots small to avoid any bumps.

To give your bookmark added interest, do consider folding the bottom of it into a triangle shape instead of a straight line. You can add a tassel, some beads or a shell to the end, to make it look unusual.

Do not forget to iron the finished bookmark carefully, between two towels, so that it does not become overheated.

Bookmarks are really easy to make, and after you've stitched one, the next ones will be a snap. The projects will take you almost no time at all.

More importantly, think how delighted your friends will be when they receive a beautiful cross stitch bookmark. Unlike a stitched card, which may end up forgotten in a drawer, a personalized bookmark is sure to be treasured for years.